“Hold Your Finish. It’s the best way you can watch and learn from the shot you just hit.” Dave Pelz’s simple yet profound advice helped countless golfers improve their games. One of them was Phil Mickelson. Imagine being regarded as one of the best players, and still having won no major in 12 years of joining the PGA Tour. This was Lefty’s story, and then Dave Pelz entered. All thanks to Pelz’s statistical approach, Mickelson won his first major, that too the Masters, in 2004. Pelz’s guidance helped Mickelson win four of his six majors, so when the news of Pelz’s passing came, it was a tough moment for the golfer. Not just for Mickelson, but for others too, it was tough news. 

PGA Tour player Michael Kim shared how Pelz’s innovations changed his game from his junior days. “I might have been the worst putter in jr golf until I saw Jordan Spieth use the Pelz tutor,” Kim revealed on X. The Pelz Putting Tutor, one of Pelz’s most influential training aids, helps golfers perfect their alignment and stroke path. This simple yet effective tool has been used by numerous Tour professionals, including Jordan Spieth, whose putting prowess inspired Kim.

“Never knew I was aiming way left and pushing it a mile until I got one. Totally changed my putting and even used it today,” Kim continued. His tribute underscores the practical, lasting impact Pelz had on players’ techniques. Despite working with other coaches like Sean Foley and Joseph Mayo throughout his career, Kim still relies on fundamentals he learned from Pelz’s innovations. This shows how Pelz’s scientific approach to putting continues to help professionals at the highest level, years after they first encountered his methods.

Kim’s post concluded with a simple yet poignant message: “Thank you for your influence in golf. RIP Mr. Pelz.” A physics major turned golf innovator, Pelz was a scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center before revolutionizing wedge play and teaching methods for the world’s best golfers. He passed away at 85, because of complications from prostate cancer. 

 The brevity of these final words carries significant emotional weight. But the impact of Pelz’s teachings extended far beyond the professional ranks.

Golf community rallies behind Michael S. Kim’s emotional farewell

Fans responding to Kim’s post shared their own experiences with Pelz’s methods and training aids. “Watched all his videos. I can only hit a lob wedge properly because of him,” admitted one golfer, likely referring to Pelz’s pioneering work with the 60-degree lob wedge that he first created in 1980. Another simply stated, “Really learned a lot from his book and videos. He will be missed.” These comments highlight how Pelz’s innovative techniques, like his famous “clock system” for distance control and his “17-inch rule” for proper putting speed, helped countless recreational golfers translate complex concepts into tangible improvement.

One fan shared a personal experience: “I took the one-day Pelz school at La Costa to solve my pitching yips a couple of years ago. He was a legend. RIP.” This demonstrates the reach of Pelz’s teaching schools, which he established across North America and Europe. Another fan offered a more nuanced take: “Yep. Pelz had the greatest training aids. His straight back and through putting stroke screwed me up for a while but his info was ahead of its time. The lumpy donut around the hole was genius.” This comment reflects how Pelz’s scientific approach sometimes challenged traditional methods but ultimately pushed golf instruction forward.

The outpouring of memories continued with another fan simply noting, “Used to watch his videos over and over. RIP.” This sentiment captures how Pelz’s instructional content became a trusted resource that golfers would return to repeatedly. His ability to communicate complex concepts in accessible ways made his teaching particularly valuable to recreational players.

Pelz revolutionized golf instruction with his scientific approach to the short game. His research revealed that more than 60% of golf shots occur within 100 yards of the hole, and nearly 80% of shots lost to par happen in this critical scoring zone. These discoveries became the foundation of his teaching philosophy.

Dave Pelz leaves behind a legacy that will continue to influence golf instruction for generations. Through innovations like the Pelz Putting Tutor and his extensive library of instructional materials, his methods will continue to help golfers of all abilities. What short game techniques from Pelz have helped your golf game the most? Share your experiences in the comments below.